What is the main purpose of a lesson plan?

The main purpose of a lesson plan is to provide the skills necessary for instruction. A well-structured lesson plan serves as a roadmap for instructors, detailing the specific teaching strategies, activities, and objectives that will guide the lesson. It ensures that the instructor is prepared to deliver the content effectively and helps in organizing the flow of the lesson from start to finish. By outlining the skills required for the instruction, the lesson plan enables the instructor to focus on what needs to be taught and how to engage students in the learning process.

While outlining classroom rules, assessing student performance, and generating classroom discussions are important aspects of teaching, they serve as complementing elements rather than defining the primary purpose of a lesson plan. A lesson plan's core function is to facilitate effective teaching and learning by clearly delineating the instructional skills and methodologies that will be employed during the lesson.